JOIN USThe National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Monday asked the Centre whether it has any "specific plan or mechanism in its mind" to effectively address farmers' suicide in the country after information poured in that 639 farmers took their own life within three months in Maharashtra this year.
Reminding the governments that "in spite of announcement of several schemes, including crop insurance and loan waiver by the central and state governments, the forlorn story of poor farmers generally remains the same", the NHRC said. There is a need for the central and state governments to see that the schemes announced by them are implemented in true spirit to achieve the target so that such tragic deaths of farmers could be averted, it added.
Taking suo motu cognisance of media reports about the Maharashtra Revenue Minister confirming the suicides between March 1 and May 31 this year, the NHRC sought reports from the Centre and the state government, specifically mentioning the status of implementation of the schemes for the farmers and relief to the aggrieved families. The reported reasons were crop failure, debt and inability to repay bank loans.
Asking the governments to report back within four weeks, the NHRC said, "the Union Government is expected to inform the Commission, if they have any specific plan or mechanism in their mind to effectively address the situation."
Not first time
Observing that it is "not for the first time" that such news has come to its notice, it said farmers committing suicide in such a large number is a "serious matter" as it involves the right to life of the victims. Their families also come under tremendous pressure due to sudden demise of an earning member, it said.
"The farmers are still choosing to end their lives, understandably, unable to cope up with the stress, financial crunch and social stigma due to crop failure," it said.